Sheet processing apparatus



Dec. 13, 1966 J, oss ET AL SHEET PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed May 15,- 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l JAMES A. R055 DEFOREST E //V/(LEY INVENTORS I0 F/Gf 5 Dec. 13, 1966 JLA. oss ET AL SHEET PROCESSING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 15, 1964 JAMES A. ROSS DEFOREST E INKLE) INVENTORS ATTORNEYS United States Patent M 3,291,025 SHEET PROCESSING APPARATUS James A. Ross and Deforest E. lnkley, Rochester, N.Y., asslgnors to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed May 15, 1964, Ser. No. 367,649 11 Claims. (Cl. 95-98) This invention relates generally to photographic process1ng, and more specifically to an improved photosensitive sheet processing apparatus.

Photographic apparatus for processing sheets of photosensitive material by immersing them in a processing solution are well known in the art. It has been found that lmproved processing results are achieved if the solution is agitated during the processing operation. Although many ways are known for agitating a processing solution, one well known way utilizes gaseous burst agitation in which bursts of nitrogen gas or the like are released at controlled intervals through openings in a distributor disposed in the solution at the bottom of a processing tank. When first released, the bursts impart a sharp displacement pulse or piston action to the entire volume of solution, and then as the bubbles make their way to the surface they provide a localized agitation around each bubble. Applicants invention is directed to an improved photosensitive sheet processing apparatus of the above-indicated type.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for processing sheets of photosensitive material utilizing gaseous burst agitation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for processing sheets of photosensitive material in which a higher level of agitation at the sensitive surfaces of the sheets is achieved.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for processing sheets of photosensitive material in which contact between the sensitive surface of a sheet and a foreign surface is minimized.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for processing sheets of photosensitive material in which processing uniformity and print quality is improved.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for processing sheets of photosensitive material that is of simple design and construction, thoroughly reliable and efficient in operation, and economical to manufacture.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for processing sheets of photosensitive material including means for precisely locating and directing a flow of gas to the sensitive surfaces of the sheet.

Objects and advantages other than those set forth above would be apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an end elevation view of a processing apparatus constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, and having portions thereof broken away and sectioned;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the processing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section view taken along line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged segmental view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a top plan view on a reduced scale of the gas distributor utilized in this processing apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a processing apparatus according to the present invention is disclosed as comprising an open ended tank 6 for hold- 3,291,025 Patented Dec. 13, 1966 ing the processing solution. A gas distributor 8 is secured to the base of tank 6 by any suitable means, and as best seen in FIGS. 3-5 comprises an endless main duct 10 of rectangular configuration. The duct 10 has an opening or inlet 12 at one end connected in fluid-tight engagement to a nipple 14 in the side of tank 6 through which a nitrogen gas may be introduced into the distributor by any suitable gas pump or the like, not shown. Interconnecting the opposite ends of duct 10 and in fluid connection therewith are a plurality of parallel, spaced apart dispensing ducts 16 of generally triangular-shaped cross section. (See FIGS. 4 and 5.) The dispensing ducts 16 further have a plurality of spaced openings 18 through which the nitrogen gas is emitted.

The holder for the photosensitive sheets comprises a box-like basket 20 in which the corners thereof are formed by angled plates so that substantially the entire area of the sides, ends, bottom, and top are open to allow access of the solution to the interior of basket 20. A plurality of parallel, spaced apart rods 22 extend between the bottom and top of basket 20 at each end thereof as best seen in FIG. 2. A web-like plastic screen 24 has one end thereof secured to the outermost post 22 on one side of basket 20, and is then threaded successively back and forth around the remaining posts 22 on the basket with its other end secured to the outermost post 22 on the other side. The folds of the screen 24 form a plurality of parallel, spaced apart partitions cooperating to provide compartments 26 between which a sheet or sheets 27 (see FIG. 4) of photosensitive material may be inserted. The posts 22 to which the ends of screen 24 are secured are preferably rotatable to provide a means for applying tension to the screen for tightening same. A lock bolt 28 releasably locks the hexagonal ends 32 of end posts 22 in a selected position. End caps 30 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) extending from top to bottom are provided at each end of basket 20 to partially close off the partitions 26 at each end thereof.

A plurality of parallel, spaced apart rods 34 interconnect the angled plates of basket 20 along the bottom thereof for mounting a plurality of spools 36, each having a V-shaped peripheral groove 38 therein. The bottom edge of each fold of screen 24 is interposed between two of the spools 36 as best seen in FIG. 4. The screen 24 threaded back and forth over posts 22 with its lower edge interposed between spools 36 forms a plurality of the aforementioned spaced apart compartments 26 into which a pair of photosensitive sheets 27 may be inserted in back-to-back relation. The bottom of a pair of sheets 27 so inserted will slidealong the grooved surface of the spools 36 and nest in the apex thereof. The grooves 38 locate the lower end of each pair of photosensitive sheets 27 substantially between and out of contact with the spaced apart surfaces of screen 24.

After basket 20 has been loaded by the insertion from the top of sheets 27 of photosensitive material into compartments 26, it may be grasped by handles 37 and lowered or immersed into processing tank 6. which is filled with processing solution, until outwardly extending flanges 44 engage the upper end of tank 6. The lower end of basket 20 is provided with adjustable brackets 41 (see FIG. 1) secured to basket 20 by screws 39 extending through slotted openings, not shown, in brackets 41. The brackets 41 have outwardly extending fingers 40 (see FIG. 1) which are guided by a pair of spaced apart guide rails 42 at each end of tank 6 which converge to properly direct the lower end of basket 20 with respect to distributor 10. In this position, the apex of groove 38 in each spool 36 is in register or alignment with a slot 46 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) between the dispensing ducts 16. As specifically shown in FIG. 4, any gas dispensed from dispensing ducts 16 will rise and pass through slots 46 between adjacent ducts, and then pass upwardly along the sensitive surface of the sheets 27 as the bubbles make their way to the surface of the solution. It is readily apparent that substantially all of the gas bubbles produced will pass along the sensitive surface of the sheets to provide a high level of agitation. Also, the gas bubbles directed in this manner will tend to hold the sheets 27 of photosensitive material out of contact with the adjacent surfaces of screen 24 resulting in improved processing uniformity and overall print quality. Normally, the tendency of a print to adhere to the screen surface will result in screen marking, which is essentially eliminated during immersion of basket 20 by the solution flushing the prints away from the surface of screen 24, and during processing by the gaseous flow forcing sheets 27 out of engagement with the screen surfaces.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference tola preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described hereinabove and as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In an apparatus for processing sheets of photosensitive material in a tank containing a processing solution, the combination comprising:

gas distributor means for dispensing a gas into said tank along a plurality of parallel, spaced apart planar zones for upward movement through said solution;

a basket for insertion into and removal from said tank;

said basket having means therein for receiving sheets of photosensitive material and guiding one of the ends thereof to a fixed planar position; and

positioning means on said tank and basket cooperating to position said basket when it is inserted into said tank with said ends of said sheets substantially in alignment with one of said zones whereby said gas during its upward movement passes along the surface of said sheets to provide solution agitation.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said gas distributor includes a plurality of parallel ducts having slots therebetween for defining said zones through which said dispensed gas passes.

3. The invention according to claim 2 wherein each of said ducts has a plurality of flat sides, and is substantially triangular in cross section, one of said sides of said duct is positioned in a horizontal plane, and at least one of said remaining sides has a plurality of openings therethrough through which said gas is dispensed.

4. The inventionaccording to claim 3, and further including an endless conduit of substantially rectangular configuration, each of said ducts having its ends in fluid connection .with opposite portions of said conduit.

5. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said receiving and guiding means of said basket comprises a plurality of spools, each having a V-shaped peripheral groove therein for receiving the ends of at least one of saidsheets.

6. The invention according to claim 5, and further ineluding parallel, spaced apart screens, the lower end of each being positioned substantially in alignment with the end of a spool.

7. The invention according to claim 2 wherein said receiving and guiding means of said basket comprises a plurality of spools, each having a V-shaped peripheral groove therein for receiving the ends of one or more of said sheets, and said positioning means comprises a projection on one of said basket and tank, and said other of said basket and tank defining a complementary channel for receiving said projection.

8. The invention according to claim 7 wherein said projection is adjustable.

9. Ina gas distributor for a processing apparatus holding sheets of film, the combination comprising:

an endless conduit of substantially rectangular configuration for receiving gas and lying in one plane;

a plurality of parallel ducts spaced apart to form slots therebetween substantially equal in width to the thickness of a pair of the sheets;

said ducts having their ends in fluid connection with opposite portions of said conduit; and

each of said ducts further being of substantially triangular cross section and having a plurality of flat sides, one of said sides lying in a plane parallel to said one plane, and at least one of said remaining sides having a plurality of openings therethrough through which said gas is dispensed for upward movement through a complementary slot.

10. In a basket for holding photosensitive prints to be processed in a tank of processing solution, the combination comprising a rectangular frame member in which the sides, ends, bottom and top are open except for the corners thereof;

a plurality of parallel, spaced apart partitions formed from a screen material extending from one end of said frame to the other;

a plurality of parallel, spaced apart rods extending from one side of said frame to the other at the base thereof; and

a plurality of spools mounted on said rods with the ends thereof in alignment with said partitions, each spool having a V-shaped peripheral groove therein for receiving the ends of one or more sheets.

11. The invention according to claim 10 wherein said lower end of each partition is interposed between the ends of adjacent spools.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,077,155 2/1963 M'addock -98 3,135,188 6/1964 Hixon 95-98 3,180,243 4/1965 Siskind 95-98 3,199,431 8/1965 Hill 95-98 X NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

C. B. PRICE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN AN APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING SHEETS OF PHOTOSENSITIVE MATERIAL IN A TANK CONTAINING A PROCESSING SOLUTION, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: GAS DISTRIBUTOR MEANS FOR DISPENSING A GAS INTO SAID TANK ALONH A PLURALITY OF PARALLEL, SPACED APART PLANAR ZONES FOR UPWARD MOVEMENT THROUGH SAID SOLUTION; A BASKET FOR INSERTION INTO AND REMOVAL FROM SAID TANK; SAID BASKET HAVING MEANS THEREIN FOR RECEIVING SHEETS OF PHOTOSENSITIVE MATERIAL AND GUIDING ONE OF THE ENDS THEREOF TO A FIXED PLANAR POSITION; AND POSITIONING MEANS ON SAID TANK AND BASKET COOPERATING TO POSITION SAID BASKET WHEN IT IS INSERTED INTO SAID TANK WITH SAID ENDS OF SAID SHEETS SUBSTANTIALLY IN ALIGNMENT WITH ONE OF SAID ZONES WHEREBY SAID GAS DURING ITS UPWARD MOVEMENT PASSES ALONG THE SURFACE OF SAID SHEETS TO PROVIDE SOLUTION AGITATION. 